Which place is cheaper, Pretoria or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Pretoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Pretoria can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Pretoria?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
Pretoria
Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesPretoria Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Pretoria $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Pretoria is $67. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nairobi and Pretoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Pretoria $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Pretoria $56
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Pretoria
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Pretoria? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nairobi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Pretoria $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wilson Airport Private Transfer to Nairobi hotels or Airport: $30
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer in Nairobi for Pax with Disability: $40
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or city To Maasai Mara By Road: $135
- Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $46
- Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Nairobi Airport Transfer: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria
Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sun City Private Transfer: $246
- Private Transfer from JHB Airport to Hotels and Around Sandton: $40
- Private Oneway Transfer from Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport: $34
- Private Airport Transfers in Johannesburg: $61
- Half-Day City Tour with Hotel Transfer: $111
- Full-Day Pretoria City Tour with Guide and Transfers: $120
- Dinokeng Safari with Transfer: $154
- Airport transfers,door to door shuttle: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Pretoria?
Prices for flights to both Pretoria and Nairobi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Pretoria $28
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Feisty Food Tour: $84
- Johannesburg: Carnivore Restaurant Dinner with Transfers: $123
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Pretoria $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Lake Naivasha & Hell's Gate National Park Tour: $150
- 1 Day Tour to Amboseli National Park: $200
- 1 Day tour of Lake Nakuru National Park: $250
- 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
- 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Safari Big Five Adventure from Nairobi: $300
- 3 Days 2 Nights Maasai Mara Group Tour with 4x4 Jeep: $195
- 3 Days 2 Nights Masai Mara Safari Witness the Jungle Experience: $270
- 3 Days 8th Wonder Of The World with Maasai Mara Great Tour: $242
- 3 Days Amboseli Private Safari Tour: $52
- 3 Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
Tours and Activities in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1Day Pilanesburg Big 5 safari experience: $75
- 2 Days Historical Cultural and Sightseeing Tour in Johannesburg: $238
- 2-Day Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria Guided Tour: $196
- 3 tours/ cradle human kind caves and Lesedi Cultural village: $162
- 3-Day Private Tour Johannesburg - See everything: $243
- Aerial Cableway Private Tour from Johannesburg: $140
- Africa Fun Tours: $109
- Aha Lesedi Cultural Village tour: $177
- Apartheid History of South Africa (Full day Experience with lunch: $149
- Apartheid Museum Guided Tour: $62
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg from Pretoria, every FRIDAY afternoon: $72
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg, every FRIDAY afternoon: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Pretoria $35
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
When comparing the travel costs between Nairobi and Pretoria, we can see that Nairobi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Pretoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Pretoria?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Pretoria. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Pretoria, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.